Who Does Not Have Hotel Rooms In Midland

[Rootingforsis]

This forum is almost entirely California and Texas, but wondering who still doesn't have hotel rooms in Midland/Odessa for 14u ASA Nationals? I keep hearing talk about them moving this tournament out of Midland to Dallas/Ft. Worth. Any truth to this rumor?

Do national ASA officials even know the level of the housing problem. NEVER have I seen such incompetence. Who is responsible for this fiasco?

I also find it interesting that these yahoos don't have a "team list" posted on their website. I'm betting that they don't top 80 teams this year because of the (1) housing fiasco; (2) location; (3) location; (4) location; (5) location; (6) location, etc.

Leave it to Texas . . .

[Brooke's Dad]

Do you want some cheese to go with all that wine????

[Rootingforsis]

Do you want some cheese to go with all that wine????

We'll be drinking a nice Simi Valley Cabernet Sauvignon in our fleabag motel 60 miles from Midland, thank you very much . . . that said, I think the issue for those caught in this mess should be addressed by the ASA national office. The housing issue is a fiasco on a grand scale.

[honcho55]

I have heard about those problems, I also have heard because of all the oil & gas drilling, etc. that the hotel/motel crunch is really bad. I think what BD was trying to convey though, was that your comment of "only in Texas, or leave it to texas" it's not Texas' fault.....maybe shortsightedness on midland's part or from the national office of ASA. Me personally would love for it to be moved to Dallas area. More to do, and close to home for me. I about choked when I paid for our hotel, I could stay in Jamaica cheaper plus have free booze!

[soreshins]

It is a sad fact that Midland and Odessa never had enough quality motel rooms for this event. This is particularly true in light of the increased oil field activity. Many of the hotels are not suitable for youth sports teams. The Nationals packet even lists hotels in Andrews and Big Spring which are over 40 miles away.

If you are expecting Roseville, CA, you will be sadly mistaken. Midland just doesn't have the services such as restaurants, motels, Wal-marts, Targets, etc. needed to host a national tournament. This would be obvious to anyone who has been to Midland and also been to an ASA National tournament. I don't why ASA picked Midland. It is in the middle of nowhere and is 250 miles from a major airport (DFW). I guess is was just too easy to pick Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, San Antonio or Houston. All have enough services and better airport access.

[fasterpitch92701]

Hotels are an issue. There is no debate, unless of course, you are someone who hasn't tried to book a hotel room there. And... many of the hotels in Midland/Odessa have customer reviews of cockroach infestation, generic filth, bad food and no nearby amenities worth attending. The only rooms currently available are smoking, single bed Motel6 dumps unless you go $200/night "upscale". $200 a night for a clean room? Don't believe it? Check it out.

The real question is whether ASA is giving itself a significant black eye that will affect future participation by teams. There are hundreds of locations that people might actually WANT to go to (including, dare I say, a few in Texas). But Midland, Texas? In theory, tournaments like this bring revenue to the area. However, how many people will bring their family to this event and how many will send 1 parent with a DD and just get through it. Or combine 2-3 DD's with a mother in a larger room.

It looks like ASA shot themselves in the foot on this one. A blunder, no more, no less. It would not be surprising to see qualified teams simply decline the opportunity and play elsewhere. Expensive, dumpy accommadations... poor flight connections... no amenities... in the middle of nowhere.

Could you possibly pick a worse location? Probably not. It does make one wonder what was the profound, prevailing logic in picking Midland.

[3Bsnag]

It has been rumored that Craig Ranch (McKinney, TX- suburb of Dallas) and Midland were the final 2 contestants with Midland winning out. Can't figure out that one. Plano, McKinney, Allen area could very easily accomodate a national tournament and then some.

Leave it to Texas . . .

That's right, rootingforsis, us Texans conspired to see how miserable we could make you elitist, gay-marriage, wine country folks. We wasa spittin' our tabacky while we wasa plottin'.

Or maybe, we would rather have you and your girls come to a more urbanized location to completely enjoy our culture, along with the tournament, so you could go back and tell your friends how much you enjoyed your trip to Dallas, Houston, etc.

Obviously, Midland is not an ideal location and none of us want to go there.

[fasterpitch92701]

It will be interesting to see how many qualified teams actually go and... how many teams who have already committed simply forfeit entries and say "no thanks". Southwest Air tickets can be cancelled and used on later trips. Rooms and rental cars can be dumped. The American Air flights from DFW are, typically, not refundable. The question is whether to spend good money after bad on a trip to hells half acre. It's a shame as there are locations in Texas that could be advantageous, and that's coming from a "we don't pour sugar water in our wine" area person.

But Midland?

Who would'a thunk? Maybe, maybe they didn't...

[yellow ball]

I totally agree with all that has been said. My opinion is if everyone on Heybucket would bombard ASA National office with emails and phone calls they may change the location. If we all set back and wait on others to do this it will not be as affective. Could someone post ASA National email address and phone #. Can't wait until after Midland to see all the post on this tournament. You all outsiders, ie Cali., Ga., Tn., are in for a shock. My two cents

[just play]

This is a shame... According to the Unofficial HeyBucket counter, there are 41 teams with berths to Nationals. Yet, you call every single hotel on the tournament list and they are all booked up. It is sad when the Motel 6 and Super 8 are even booked.

Not a slam on Texas or Midland/Odessa, but why choose an area which you know cannot accomodate the size of the event you are going to hold. On top of that, the air fare to this area is so crazy and the largest metropolitan area is 5 hours away. We have not made final transportation reservations from California at this time, but would not mind the event being switched to the Dallas/Ft Worth area.

It's a shame because girls have worked hard to receive a berth, but it seems as though securing transportation and lodging are the biggest road block to them attending. It would be interesting to see how many teams choose to drop out and attend their Western/Southern/Eastern/Northern Nationals instead.